Local source for ACME screws

[snowyskiesau]

After reading this forum and lurking on cnczone.com, I'm hooked - so I'm looking to start on my first machine. It will be MDF similar to this design (http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx).
A thread (http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30935) on cnczone.com suggested starting with ACME 1/2"-10 rod instead of going with allthread. The price difference was (to him) not great and the result was a faster, quieter machine.
Can anyone point me at a local supplier of ACME screws? A quick google didn't result in many hits and none had prices listed.
I did find this (http://www.worldofcnc.com) place in the UK (worldofcnc.com/Marchant Dice). Prices look OK but freight maybe a killer.
The other reason I'm considering ACME is that the first machine will be a learning process and I'd like to be able to cannibalise parts for machine number 2.

[appiwood]

Hello Geoff

I have ordered some from Blackwoods, it isn't a stock item ( in Orange NSW anyway ) but maybe in Sydney, generally nut and bolts suppliers also have it, it shouldn't be all that hard to source.

Ed

[rodm]

Snowyskiesau,
New ballscrews are very cheap in China at the moment.
Try here (http://stores.ebay.com.au/linearmotionbearings_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm)
I have used this seller and the ballscrews can be machined to your specs for $20 boith ends. The ballnuts also come with wipers.
He has some very good deals on linear rails as well. A full set for a machine here (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/linear-bearing-slide-unit-SBR12-300SBR16-600SBR20-1000_W0QQitemZ250275281618QQihZ015QQcategoryZ111618QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262).
These are fully supported along their lenght and solid rails so they are quite heavy.
Remember to keep you length 1000mm or less so that Australia Post will deliver them. 1050mm is their limit.
I have no association with this seller other than I got a great deal from him.

[rod1949]

What! Do you mean there is a real ACME company? I thought is was just in the Road Runner cartoons... :D

[snowyskiesau]

Rodm, thanks for the link.
At those prices, it's hard not to justify going with ballscrews - length restrictions aside.

[Anyone know what happens if Australia Post get's a parcel from overseas that exceeds
local length limits? ]

[rodm]

Problem is it will make you totally review the machine you intend to build. :)
It did for me anyway - I was set up to build a machine and when these appeared I ended up with 1300 x 25mm rails and two 1200 ballscrews so back to the drawing board. The seller is very receptive to supplying other parts and different sizes so don't be limited by his listings.

I had my bits which were longer than Aus Post limits shipped by DHL and they were here in 3 days. Just over $10 per kg to ship which I thought was good. EMS takes about a week and half and it is delivered by Aus Post here.

Hopefully somebodty will be able to answer you on the outcome of overlength deliveries for Aus Post.

[bsrlee]

My experience re overlength parcels is that the overseas P.O. just won't accept them - I used to get 48" mitre track from Rockler in the US, but after Oz Post changed its regulations is seems all the overseas P.O.'s got the message not to accept them.:((

[snowyskiesau]

I browsed around the EMS website to see if there was any mention of whether the acceptance of a parcel is affected by the rules of the destination country but nothing mentioned.
I've sent a message off to the eBay seller Rod mentioned, to see if courier freight is an (affordable) option.

I really hope it's not,otherwise I see a BIG hole developing in my bank account :U

[snowyskiesau]

Well here's another couple of reasons to deal with this eBay (http://stores.ebay.com.au/linearmotionbearings) seller.

1. They responded to an email I sent only 45 minutes ago - must be the night shift.

2. They stated that they will try to send the items via EMS (postal) but if not accepted, they will send via DHL and pay the difference.

Sounds good (and bad, see my last post).

Not sure if an MDF machine will do justice to such nice ballscrews. As Rodm suggested, a design rethink is required. :(

[rodm]

Yes I found this seller very helpful as well.
Having built my first machine on the cheap I can say you will not regret getting quality parts. You can still build an MDF machine with these parts and the benefit is construction will be a lot easier.
There will be a few challenges but there is lots of help available here to get your machine running. One thing I can tell you is that once finished you have this silly CNC grin on your face for about a week. We all do.
Have sent you a PM.

[snowyskiesau]

Rod, thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll await your PM before asking more questions :D

I'll send an order off for 2 x 1200mm and 1 x 700mm ballscrews before I change my mind and decide I don't really need a CNC router :U